Dr. Nagalakshmi Nagarajan, MD is a cardiologist in Iowa City, IA specializing in adult cardiology. She graduated from University of Texas Medical School at Houston in 2017 and has 8 years of experience. Dr. Nagalakshmi Nagarajan, MD is affiliated with University of Iowa and University of Iowa Health Care.
200 Hawkins Drive
Iowa City, IA 52242
2000 South Main Street
Fairfield, IA 52556
Coronary Artery Disease
Coronary artery disease (CAD) is the most common type of heart disease. It happens when the blood vessels carrying blood to the heart, called coronary arteries, narrow and harden. This occurs when cholesterol, a type of fat found in the blood, builds up to form plaque, which sticks to the inner walls of the arteries. As plaque accumulates, less blood can flow through the arteries, which may lead to the following:
Certain factors may increase risk for the disease, like smoking, lack of exercise, being overweight, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, and diabetes. CAD tends to develop over decades, so it can go undetected until it has become quite severe. A diagnosis may be established using such tests as:
Treatments for the disease include medications such as vasodilators, like nitroglycerin, which dilates (widens) the coronary arteries. CAD may also be treated by a procedure called angioplasty with stent placement, where a balloon is inflated inside a diseased artery to flatten the plaque deposits against the artery walls, creating more room for blood to flow.
In some severe cases of the disease, multiple arteries may be blocked, and an open heart surgery called coronary artery bypass surgery may be necessary. This operation transplants a vessel from another part of the body to form a graft that goes past the narrowed arteries, thus enabling blood to flow around those arteries.
Heart Problems
The heart is one of the most important organs in the body. This smooth muscle expands and contracts rhythmically an entire lifetime, pumping blood to the lungs and then to every other cell in the body. When heart problems occur, it becomes difficult for the body to get the nutrients and oxygen it needs via the blood. So while there are a variety of illnesses and disorders that affect the heart, most of them cause weakness, exhaustion and shortness of breath. The most common heart conditions include heart disease, angina, arrhythmia, and valve disorders.
Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States for both men and women. This includes coronary artery disease, heart attacks, congestive heart failure, and congenital heart disease. Some conditions, such as genetics, cannot be controlled. But there are many other things one can do to lower their risk for heart disease. Controlling high blood pressure and cholesterol levels, reducing or stopping smoking, exercising more and losing weight if needed, and eating a diet low in sodium can all protect the heart.
Angina is a squeezing type of chest pain that happens when the muscles around the heart don't get enough oxygen. It can be regular or infrequent. Usually, angina is caused by coronary heart disease. However, not all chest pain is angina. Chest pain can also be caused by a lung infection or panic attack, for example, so it is important to have any sudden pain checked.
Arrhythmia is the word for when the heart beats too fast, too slow, or irregularly with skipped beats. It can feel frightening, and depending on the type it can be dangerous, but in most cases arrhythmia is not serious and can be treated. It is very common, especially in older adults.
Heart valve problems can happen in any one of the the heart's four valves that keep blood flowing where it needs to go. Babies can be born with problems in their heart valves, or valves can be damaged by infections. The valves can stiffen and become less mobile, or they can stop closing properly and 'leak' when the heart beats. Valve problems can usually be repaired surgically.
Dr. Nagalakshmi Nagarajan, MD graduated from University of Texas Medical School at Houston in 2017. She has a state license in Iowa.
Medical School: University of Texas Medical School at Houston (2017)
Licensed In: Iowa
Dr. Nagalakshmi Nagarajan, MD is associated with these hospitals and organizations:
Dr. Nagalakshmi Nagarajan, MD has an exceptional overall rating with an average of 4.81 out of 5 stars based on 97 ratings. We collect ratings and reviews of Dr. Nagalakshmi Nagarajan, MD from all over the web to help you find the right in Iowa City, IA.
These charts describe general payments received by Dr. Nagalakshmi Nagarajan, MD. Doctors may receive payments for a number of reasons, including meal compensation, travel compensation, and consulting.
Abbott Laboratories |
$17
THORATEC HEARTMATE 3 LVAS IMPLANT KIT $17 |
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Food and Beverage | $17 |
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Dr. Nagalakshmi Nagarajan's medical specialty is adult cardiology. Her areas of expertise include the following: nuclear cardiology, coronary artery disease, and transesophageal echocardiography (TEE). Dr. Nagarajan is affiliated with the University of Iowa Health Care. She is a graduate of the University of Texas Medical School at Houston. Patients gave Dr. Nagarajan an average rating of 5.0 stars (out of 5).